Our Work

Focus on Women

Women may be victims of hunger but they are also the most effective solution to combating and preventing hunger.

Women make up a little over half of the world's population but in many parts of the world, especially in Asia and South America, they are more likely to go hungry than men. This is because women often have unequal access to resources, education and income, and because they participate less in decision-making.

But women are also the most effective solution to combating and preventing hunger. In many countries, women make up the bulk of agricultural labourers and are the backbone of food production systems.

Women also play a key role in guaranteeing food security for the household. Experience shows that in the hands of women, food is far more likely to reach the mouths of needy children. Learn more

Focus on Women - Stories

Behind efforts to achieve Zero Hunger are humanitarian staff working tirelessly in the field or behind office desks. Here is the story of two women staff from the World Food Programme (WFP) Philippines, Haydee Balading and Charlyn Pendang, who contribute to addressing food and nutrition security in the country.

In a country where girls are rarely allowed to attend school, WFP's food serves as a powerful incentive for male family members to send the women - mothers and adolescent girls - of their family to vocational skills and literacy classes.

After struggling for years, Fulasa fought her way out of poverty by helping nourish the minds and bodies of children in her community. She serves as a shining example of the central role that women play in addressing poverty and undernutrition.

Women living in the canton of Pimampiro north of Quito are taking action. After attempting to sell food grown in their home gardens, they soon saw that there existed few formal market opportunities in their communities and realized that they faced many challenges. The following article tells the story of a group of organized and united women farmers who created a space for themselves in their local market and who now provide food for WFP’s assistance programmes.